Page 72 of Bound

Of course, hot tubs in my world don’t have small computersinside that automatically pull and purify water from the nearest source. Theydon’t keep the water at a perfect temperature without the aid of electricity.It’s a miracle of modern vampire tech, but all I care about is Beck’s armsaround me. It works, and it’s big enough for three. Cian sits across from us.His toes play with mine under the water.

“I told you she was perfect,” Cian says on a sigh as he letshis head fall back.

“Not quite perfect,” Beck replies. “She seems to think shegets to call the shots.”

“What?” The question comes out as a strangled shriek. Istrain to turn my head around so I can see him, but he holds me close. “Are youkidding me? I haven’t called a single shot since some asshole demon kidnappedme and I woke up in chains.”

“Is that true, love?” Beck nips gently at my ear. “Poor Meg.We big strong men have held you down and forced you to do our will.”

“Well, I liked that part,” I admit.

“I could tell.” Beck chuckles. “But, my wife, you’re goingto have to explain your definition of submissive to me. I think we’re speakingtwo different languages here. So far you’ve run from me and nearly gottenyourself and me killed. You’ve cursed me and my whole line at every givenopportunity. You attempted to manipulate me into things I wasn’t comfortablewith.”

“I did not.” There isn’t a whole lot of enthusiasm in mydefense. I pretty much did everything he accused me of. Cian snorts at thestatement.

Beck ignores me. “The minute I leave, you decide to move outand start a life that doesn’t involve me. I write to you. You refuse to reply.You use my own brother against me. These are not the acts of a submissivewoman.”

I flush because he is right. “They were the acts of animpatient woman.”

Beck turns me and forces me to look him in the eyes. “Megan,I’m sorry for the way we started. I’m clinging to a life that doesn’t existanymore.” He sighs and tugs me close again. “I love you. I haven’t shown itbecause I didn’t fully bond with you. I’m scared of it, to tell you the truth.I’ve done things I’m not proud of, and you’ll see them. I won’t be able to stopit. I’m scared that when you see me, the real me, you won’t want me anymore.”

I sit quietly, listening to Beck and trying not to wrap myarms around him. I want to press my lips against his and promise there isn’t aplane in existence where I won’t want him. Instead, I simply open my mind. Ilet my feelings flow outward.

Beck sighs, and I know he received the message. Cian comesaround the other side. He leans over to kiss my hair.

“Beck is afraid of what I’ll think, too, lover,” Cianexplains. “Once we bond properly, our connection will be complete. He doesn’twant me to know what happened the night our parents died. I’m not stupid,brother. I know something happened. I also know whatever you did, I’ll back youon it.”

“I hope so. I hope, when the time comes, you’ll understand.In the meantime, we need to discuss this marriage of ours.” Beck’s eyes aredark as he looks me over. “I don’t know if you realize what you’re gettinginto, love. I won’t always look to your pleasure. You’re mine. Sometimes, I’lljust use you because I own you.”

Cian’s hands run down my shoulders. “That’s why I’m here,brother. I’ll take care of her.”

I lean back and let Cian press his lips to mine. He’s thesoft touch. Though he tried to be what I need, he can’t really work up the willto truly dominate me. He would rather worship me and coddle me. He’s the softside of the man.

Beck pulls my attention back to him. He’s the rough side.He’s the dominant side that takes what he wants. It says something about theman that even his dominant half would never hurt me. He’s hard and possessive,and we will all be so much happier now that he stopped fighting his truenature.

“I want a yes, Meg,” Beck says quietly. “I want a yes, butbefore you say it, know that you can’t take it back. Once you say yes, I won’tever let you go. You’ll fight me every day for control. I’ll try my damnedestto make decisions for you. I can’t help what I am. Cian will balance me bybeing the biggest softie on the plane when it comes to you.”

Cian grins. “I have no shame about that.”

My heart swells with love for them. It’s hard because theyare really one person in two bodies, their personalities stronger for it. Beckhas to struggle with his own instincts because all the pieces that wouldbalance him are in Cian. Cian feels weak and often unappreciated because thearrogance is mostly housed in Beck. I can help them once we bond fully. Theyneed me.

“Yes,” I say without hesitation. “Though I think you’ll findme more difficult to deal with than you imagine. But I promise when we’reintimate, I will be your perfect little submissive.”

A happy smile curls around his mouth. “I’ll try to takemore, wife. I’m a bloody selfish bastard.”

I lean forward. “You’re welcome to try, husband.”

He kisses me roughly. “I promise I will. Now, you have aduty to us. You will wash your husbands’ hair, and then we’ll join thevillagers. I assume there’s a party. When I’m away, Ci always throws a party.”

Cian unbinds his hair, getting it wet. “The ale is alreadyflowing freely, brother.”

Beck shakes his head. “We’ll partake, then. I want thevillagers to see how happy our bride has made us. Then, later tonight, we bond.All three of us.”

I catch his strong jaw in my hands. “It’s going to be fine,Beck. I love you. Ci loves you. Nothing is going to change that.”

“Nothing,” Cian promises.

Beck allows me to start soaping his hair. It’s easy to seehe hopes Cian’s words will prove true.